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Dam releases being increased on Souris River upstream from Minot

MINOT, N.D. — Officials this week plan to start releasing more water from Lake Darling Dam on the Souris River upstream from Minot to increase storage capacity as the spring flooding season nears.

The Minot Daily News reports that the increases are considered minimal and well within the norm for this time of year. The National Weather Service in its most recent flood outlook said the Souris is expected to remain well within its banks this spring in the Minot area, though minor flooding could occur in some rural areas.

The region experienced historic river flooding in 2011.

One impact of the increased dam releases will be a weakening of river ice, which could be dangerous to anyone who ventures onto the river.